Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1021976
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 SEPTEMBER 2018 ALISSON'S abysmal second- half blunder failed to prevent Liverpool from maintaining their perfect start to the Pre- mier League season in a 2-1 win at Leicester City yester- day First-half goals from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino proved enough for the visi- tors to notch a fourth succes- sive victory, although it would have been easier had Alisson not gifted a first Leicester goal to Rachid Ghezzal. The Brazil international, un- beaten in his previous three outings, was punished in the 63rd minute for a sloppy at- tempt at playing out from the back that threatened to derail what was otherwise a comfortable trip to the King Power Stadium. The error set up a potentially nervy final half-hour, but the Reds ably saw out the contest to seal maximum points from their opening four Premier League outings for the first time in their history. Liverpool netted three on their last visit to Leicester and they almost matched that tally in an efficient first 45 minutes. The in-form Mane made up for Mohamed Salah's un- characteristic early miss by stabbing home a close-range opener in the 10th minute, before Firmino was afforded far too much space to head home James Milner's corner on the stroke of half-time. Alisson made a smart stop from Demarai Gray between the goals but the goalkeeper was at fault for offering the Foxes a way back into the con- test. The former Roma man com- pounded Virgil van Dijk's er- rant back-pass with a casual attempt at turning away from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, who robbed him of the ball and squared for Ghezzal to open his Premier League ac- count. But with Jamie Vardy serv- ing the final match of his three-game suspension, the Foxes lacked the cutting edge to further trouble Jurgen Klopp's men, who momentar- ily stretched their lead at the summit to three points. FOOTBALL SPORTS Liverpool beat Leicester to stay top